Choudary – wearing a white robe in the dock at the Old Bailey – appeared relaxed and was seen smiling during the sentencing hearing.

Supporters even shouted "Allahu Akbar" from the public gallery as the sentence was passed.

And the former solicitor had the audacity to refuse to stand up during proceedings.

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PREACHER: Choudary has been monitored by police for years

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HATE: Choudary has been jailed for encouraging ISIS support

The twisted 49-year-old encouraged backing for the vile terrorist group in a series of talks posted on social media.

Choudary stayed on the right side of the law for two decades before investigators were able to finally pin him down.

The breakthrough came when he put his name to an online video pledging allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Anjem Choudary in protests

Wednesday, 17th August 2016

Anjem Choudary is a British Muslim social and political activist, as well as the spokesman for Islam4UK. We take a look at his protests in pictures that have been at the centre of controversy and global debate

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Islam4UK Spokesman Anjem Choudary leaves a press conference in Millbank Studios on January 12, 2010. The radical Islamic group had planned to stage a march through Wootton Bassett to honour Muslims who have been killed in the conflict in Afghanistan

In mitigation, his lawyer Mark Summers QC said: "These two years have given Mr Choudary time to reflect on what this case is about.

"I hope my lord will accept that the evidence in this case shows over the course of 20 years Mr Choudary has done his best to stay within the law, acting on the boundaries of it but staying within the law.

"In the commission of these offences Mr Choudary believed he was still within the law but he has had time to reflect and on reflection would have done things differently had he known the boundaries of the law.